Do any of you have experience with Chifuti Safaris (as seen in Boddington on Buffalo)? If so, what can you tell me?

Thanks,

Landrum

Landdrum,

Chifuti Safaris is run by two guys; Andrew Dawson and Paul Smith. I have met Paul, he is a nice guy and very sharp. I have not met Andrew. Chifuti is booked by Tim Danklef and Dave Fulson, both of whom I have met.

Last season, Chifuti bought all of the quota at the Sapi Safari Area (it is an auction area). This season they bought some quota at Sapi but they have entered into an arrangement with Swainsons Safaris and they are doing most of the safaris in Swainson's concession, Dande North. I believe this arrangement with Swainson's will continue for the next 3 or 4 seasons. So if you book a hunt with them in the next couple of years, you will most likely be hunting Dande North.

They are well established and appear to be well funded. They have made some improvements to the camps in Dande North.

I hunted last season and this season in Dande North. I think Dande North is one of the best Zim concessions for buffalo. As is true with most of the Zambezi Valley, there is not a lot of plains game (when compared to ranch hunting in Zim).

If you want to use a booking agent, then you can contact Tim or Dave. Alternatively, I can put you in touch with Julie Meredith. She handles the bookings and office for Swainson's and Chifuti.

If you need anymore information, let me know.

Regards,

Terry

P.S.
Here is a link to my hunt report.

No offence meant but why anyone who has seen that video would want to hunt with Andrew Dawson is beyond me. I haven't seen the Mark Sullivan videos but this guy Dawson could be his runner up, I tagged him kill-crazy half way through the show. He shoots instantly after the client no matter what! If I make a bad shot and it's obvious fine take a poke at it, otherwise you can point but don't shoot. At one point in the film Dawson (explaining his actions to the client) says "no you hit him good I just took a "wind" at the bush" I thought yea you done took a "wind" at every bush in Africa.

Actually, RayRay, I noticed that too. That is one of the reasons why I was asking if anyone had hunted with them. However, there is more than on PH in that company and they seem to produce some really nice trophies. Anyway....

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:
... At one point in the film Dawson (explaining his actions to the client) says "no you hit him good I just took a "wind" at the bush" I thought yea you done took a "wind" at every bush in Africa.

"Took a wind?"

I think you are being a little harsh on Andrew Dawson. He had a bad day. He couldn't even speak English very well that day.

He had a brain fart. He broke wind in the brain, not in the bush. Must have been edgy from a recent episode where he stopped a charging buff in the bush after Cameron Hopkins gut shot it. That was a rather dreary episode of "Tracks Across Africa," brought to us by Sure Fire.

We've seen a lot of Andrew with Craig Boddington. He seems a reasonable fellow overall.

Mark Watts will be using him on the upcoming Sable Trail production by the one-shot wonder. He can't be at all like MS if the prima donna's seek him out.

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:
No offence meant but why anyone who has seen that video would want to hunt with Andrew Dawson is beyond me. I haven't seen the Mark Sullivan videos but this guy Dawson could be his runner up, I tagged him kill-crazy half way through the show. He shoots instantly after the client no matter what!

I gotta agree. Hopefully that is not SOP.

Also, since SAPI is an auction area, can Chifuti be sure that they will have it again next year? Maybe someone will outbid them. If that happened, what about the clients who booked a year in advance? I have always wondered about that.

quote:

Also, since SAPI is an auction area, can Chifuti be sure that they will have it again next year?

Two seasons ago, Chifuti bought all of the Sapi quota at auction. This season, the government changed the rules and Chifuti ended up with only 8 hunts. That is why they are running most of their safaris in Dande North. Since Chifuti's agreement with Swainsons runs for 3 or 4 more seasons, that is why (I presume) if one books with Chifuti, that they will mostly likely be hunting in Dande North.

Regards,

Terry

Andrew Dawson is by reputation a good leophard PH. He flew me into camp once and seemed like a good guy, but I have not hunted with him.

They were supposedly going to improve the digs in Sapi (bording on worse than a fly camp) but haven't heard whether it has improved. I have heard things have improved in Dande North, but have also heard it ain't much to write home about.

But everyone ones sees things differently. Pay your money and take your chances.

I thought HHK marketed Dande North now, with Swainsons running the camps. Is that info incorrect?

I have never hunted with Dawson and I haven't seen Boddington on DVD, so I don't have any opinion as to his methods.

HHK is nothing more than a booking agent. They don't have any concessions of their own. So they may be able to book a hunt for Chifuti or Swainsons, but they are not the sole marketing/booking agent for them. Most of Chifuti's bookings are done by Dankleff and Fulson. I'm not a big fan of HHK, because they didn't ship all of my trophies from last season's safari. I booked last season's hunt in Dande North and Lemco through Graham Hingeston and they did not consolidate the trophies from the two areas. They just shipped my trophies from Lemco.

Chifuti did build a new fishing camp in Sapi. I don't know if they run their hunting safaris out of that same camp.

What "things" are you talking about when you say "I have heard things have improved."? Are you talking about the camps, the hunting, other things?

Just between you and me, I'm glad I was able to hunt Dande North last season (before Chifuti took the quota). Given Chifuti's current popularity (thanks to Boddington, the videos and the TV show) there is going to be more hunting pressure on Dande North than was the case when Swainsons had exclusive control. Also, two of Swainsons long-time PHs left this season.

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:
... At one point in the film Dawson (explaining his actions to the client) says "no you hit him good I just took a "wind" at the bush" I thought yea you done took a "wind" at every bush in Africa.

"Took a wind?"

Rip
I can see you haven't been around many Brit's

Think baseball, the "wind-up" before the pitch.


Interpret Dawson's "wind at the bush" as a shot in the dark.

AR Members,

I returned last week from a 12 day buff and sable hunt with Ingwe safaris in Dande South. ( sorry Terry, I did get a good sable). On the front end of the trip, we spent 2 days at Chifuti's Tafica fishing camp on the Zambezi.The Dawson's were having a family reunion at Tafica during our stay. I do not have any hunting experience with Dawson,and fishing is not hunting, but I can say that the Tafica camp, and his fishing operation there is very well run. Camp managers Shelia and Andrew (no relation) worked very hard to insure a great stay.We had a super time, cought some tigers,and really enjoyed our time with Andrew, Heidi, and the rest of the Dawson clan.If you are hunting the valley, I would strongly recommend a couple of days at Tafica front or back end of the safari.

cheers,

swed

swed,

Congratulations on your safari, even if you did get a sable. Did you take that sable in Dande South or at Bill's ranch in the Matetsi area?

Please file a Hunt Report so we can see photos of your safari. We don't have many reports on Ingwe Safaris.

Regards,

Terry

Terry: can you elaborate more on your tophy issues with HHK? Do you know where they are presently? jorge

Jorge,

Swainson's is going to include them with my buffalo of this season. If I hadn't returned to hunt this season, then it would have cost me another round of shipping charges to get them to the US. So you can see why HHK is not high on my list.

I had emailed HHK after my hunt last season and reminded them of the need to consolidate trophies and ask them to notify me, in advance, of the shipping costs. Didn't hear anything from until I got a call from some shipping agent in Houston that my trophies had arrived. I had not clue who the shipping agent was nor why HHK shipped them to Houston when they had instructions to ship them to Dallas. When I emailed HHK about all of this, basically they tried to blame Swainsons, even though I reminded them I had booked this hunt with HHK and it was their responsibility to deliver my trophies.

I am apparently not high on Graham's list either. As you will recall, I was not that impressed with Lemco and said so in my hunt report. Well, Graham copied that and sent it to Swainsons and asked the PH whether my report was truthful. The PH told them that he agreed with my report on Lemco. Whether that had anything to do with the subsequent problem with my trophy shipment, I can't really say.

Regards,

Terry

Terry,

Took the sable in Dande South. We were very impressed with the quality of the plains game in that area. Good buff obiously,( we both took good dugga boys) but my partner and I both shot exellent bushbuck,and warthog, and good kudu.I had sable on quota, and my partner took a very good waterbuck on the Angwa River.
Ingwe was first class in all aspects. Camp (Murara Fly Camp), PH's Butch Coaton and Andy Schultz, planning with Charl Grobleaar.Dande South is an interesting mix of hills, mopane. Enjoyed the hunting it offered.
When I'm out from under the crush of business issues, I'll file a hunt report. May need some help with posting photos!

Cheers,

swed

OK, Terry thanks. The reason I asked, is often-times HHK also uses Taxidermy Enterprises and Maple Freight (owned by them) to export stuff. When my stuff was stuck in Bulawayo, Roy Luddick, one of the partners in TE, was VERY HELPFUL in getting my raw trophies out of Zim and into RSA for Taxidermy and I was going to offer my help in trying to expedite them for you. Check your PMs here in a minute. jorge

Last fall I hunted in the Omay at a camp "maintained" by HHK and they were to process my Buffalo for shipping to the states and it was a total F*CK UP. I tried to talk with them in Reno and of all the staff there knew nothing. I am now talking about this matter as my Buffalo is at the tannery here in Pa. which is where they were to ship it thru Baltimore but they sent is thru F & F in NY costing more land freight. I will not be doing anything in Zim with them in the future. Live and learn.

Jorge,

If HHK had used Taxidermy Enterprises, it would have been fine. Taxidermy Enterprises is partly owned by the Meredith brothers (who own Swainsons).

Regards,

Terry

jorge, I just read your post where you mentioned Maple Freight. My buffalo and bushbuck have been stuck in Zim for a little over a year with African Silwane Hunters. I paid them the "dip and pack" fees last March. Last week I got an e-mail from Silwane saying that Maple Freight now has my trophies, and another e-mail from Maple Freight confirming that they have my trophies and that they "are currently sorting out clearances with Revenue Authorities (ZIMRA)".

Am I about to see the light at the end of the tunnel?

buffybr: I believe you are. Once Maple freight had them, it was less than two weeks before they were shipped to RSA for mounting. jorge

I have a couple of Andrew Dawsons DVD's and he has never struck me as somebody who is too quick with his back shots. In Boddington on Buff, Boddington is quite upfront in saying that he doesn't mind the PH taking a back up shot and that he is entirely happy to go with the Dawson's judgement on the matter...

In the various DVD's I've seen, Dawson didn't come across has a "chest beater" or at all "hung oh" and if given the chance, I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with him...

Regards,

Pete

Back to the original topic. Everyone to their own opinion but perception is not alway reality. I have hunted with them twice. In '03 and '04 I took buff with Dawson, Tuskless,Hippo, Leopard with Smith and PG with both. On the big four I was asked by each PH if I wanted to do it on my own or have them followup. Some I did and some I didn't. No shots were fired by them if I didn't ask for it. My experience is they won't fire unless they think you made a bad shot and may lose the animal or, of course, a dangerous situation. Both these guys are true gentlemen and put their clients wishes first (in my experience and those of several others I know well who have hunted with them). Based on my limited 5 safari's, Dawson/Smith are the best by far and I compare all else to them. I think a couple gave them a bad rap here based on limited observations.

MAN! I can't believe anyone would compare Andrew Dawson with Mark Sullivan! That's a stretch, IMO.

Andrew Dawson is one of the most respected PHs in Zim, and nobody has a better rep where Leopard is concerned. He knows his buisness, and as far as I can tell, is all buisness! I would hunt with him in a heart beat, and will as soon as I can book a Leopard hunt, though he is booked up two years down the road for Leopard, and I may not live that long!

Ramrod, I certainly wasn't giving him a bad rap. My primary interest in making this thread was to get more information about Chifuti Safaris.

I did, however, notice that Dawson immediately shot several of his client's buffalo on the Boddington video. And I am willing to believe that he did it for good reason. It was just an observation.

Also, it seems that he is a positive fellow and it would be very easy to get along with him on safari.

Looks like most here have found Dawson's manner or method of back-up performance in the DVD expectable. I did not, but to each his own.

My definition of a back up shot by a PH is simple. You help the client when he needs help! That's not what Dawson done at all, he shot immediately after the client with all but two of the hunters.

In most cases a PH stands beside the client protecting his own hearing by closing his ears with his fingers. Dawson on the other hand stands beside the client with both hands on his DR pointing at the buff waiting on the shot as if that was his signal to kill the buff.

Like I said I haven't seen the MS videos, I only know what has been said about him here. It's been repeated over and over that he likes to shoot the clients trophies. Dawson does just that in the DVD in question.

I agree that he seems like a nice guy otherwise.

I think the PH shooting issue is to a great extent your own choice. I tell my PH's to shoot after my first one, because I know I don't miss and that first bullet will kill him. I don't want that to take any longer than necessary. That said, none seem to be in too much of a rush.

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:
Looks like most here have found Dawson's manner or method of back-up performance in the DVD expectable. I did not, but to each his own.

My definition of a back up shot by a PH is simple. You help the client when he needs help! That's not what Dawson done at all,
In most cases a PH stands beside the client protecting his own hearing by closing his ears with his fingers. Dawson on the other hand stands beside the client with both hands on his DR pointing at the buff waiting on the shot as if that was his signal to kill the buff.

Like I said I haven't seen the MS videos, I only know what has been said about him here. It's been repeated over and over that he likes to shoot the clients trophies. Dawson does just that in the DVD in question.

I agree that he seems like a nice guy otherwise.

RayRay, did you ever think the the PH shooting instantly after the client shoots, has something to do with the thick bush, and a desision between the client, and the PH, so the buff is less likely to get into the tight cover where someone may be killed in the sorting out. I'm a Buffalo hunter I use double rifles for this for the most part, and I always ask the PH to follow my shot immediately, if the bush is thick. If in the open, however, I want to use up the two in my rifle, and the PH shoot while I'm reloading, if the buff is still runing. If he stops, no! I'll take care of the rest.

You said:

quote:

he shot immediately after the client with all but two of the hunters.

The other hunters on the Boddington film were clips from other videos of Dawson's and I have them all. The fact that he shot with some but not with two of those clips, tells me this isn't a habit, done on his own, but a meeting of the minds of client, and PH,and his other films bare this out!

People who insist the PH never shooting at dangerous game in thick cover, are the reason for a lot of unnecessary maulings, IMO! As long as the first shot is in the boiler room, all else are simply anchors to slow him down, because the first shot is what killed him!

I've never had a PH to shoot at a buffalo I've already shot unless I told him to before hand. I always tell him to shoot as soon as my bullet hits him, in cover, and after my second in the open. This is because, as AZ writer says, I know where my first shot goes, and if it is good,and it usually is, the rules apply, if it is bad the rules go out the window, he can shoot till his barrel melts, or the buffalo is out of sight, and I'll be shooting as well. But nobody in my party will get mauled,or killed, because of my EGO, or lack of shooting!

Mac, here's a thought if you are so worried why don't you let the Professional Hunter shoot first and then you follow him up. What's the difference you both will still be shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:
... At one point in the film Dawson (explaining his actions to the client) says "no you hit him good I just took a "wind" at the bush" I thought yea you done took a "wind" at every bush in Africa.

"Took a wind?"

Rip
I can see you haven't been around many Brit's

Think baseball, the "wind-up" before the pitch.


Interpret Dawson's "wind at the bush" as a shot in the dark.

Right, my "Brit" slang understanding is lacking.
My family has not much associated with them since the Royalist side fled England when the King was beheaded. The peasant side of the family was already in Virginia with Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584. From there we evolved into higher forms of communication like Kentucky slang, like "hornswoggle" and such.

I never thought badly of Andrew, and am surprised to hear anybody bash him.

Marc Watts is a prima donna, who makes high production value videos, the contents of which I will not further comment upon. He is a client hunter who should have some say in what is happening, paying big bucks to the PH who should be somewhat accommodating. It definitely takes two attitudes to tango.

Mark Sullivan is my whipping boy, as he is supposed to be a PH and should be judged by higher standards than he holds himself too.

Rip, I never wanted Dawson to be my whipping boy just look like he was doing some show boat'n to me.
I concede that it's possible all the clients in that DVD instructed Dawson to act as he did therefore I should not have tarnished his good name.

quote:

Originally posted by RayRay:
Mac, here's a thought if you are so worried why don't you let the Professional Hunter shoot first and then you follow him up. What's the difference you both will still be shooting.

I'll reverse that,you forbid the PH to shoot at any DG you take, and when he gets in the weeds, we'll let you go in by yourself to sort him out, while the PH who wasn't allowed to help you in the shooting, doesn't have to help you in the thick!

It is my experience that those who have the ego involved in the "NOBODY SHOOT BUT ME" attitude, are usually sitting in the hunting car while the PH is sorting out his mistakes!

How's that for a giggle?


In all seriousness, Films are notorious for causeing wrong opinions of what actually happens on a safari! The camera is seldom looking at the animal from the same angle as the shooters, and sometimes bullets can be seen hitting a buffalo in the gut, and too far back from the camera mans perspective, while the shooter was actually shooting from a different angle, and the bullts are hitting the gut, but from a position that puts that bullet through the gut, into the boilerroom, from a quartering away shot, which is a proper shot! The viewer complains the these guys can't shoot worth shit, as on film it looks as though the guy is just gut shooting the animal.

I have it from a good British source that "taking a wind at a bush" is not accepted British slang.

It appears I have been hornswoggled by RayRay.

Rip, what on earth do you mean? I just quoted what he said, watch the video for yourself. Sure wasn't trying to woggle your horns!

RayRay,
Oh, just me, taking a whine at a bush. Ambush.

Ah, a lesson in humility courtesy of the Ripper! Still, odd thing to do to a bush.